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Judge: Reporters Can´t Hear Wiretaps

The judge overseeing Scott Peterson´s murder trial in Modesto is rejecting requests by reporters to listen to wiretaps of phone calls they made to Peterson. 22 reporters want those calls blocked from becoming evidence under a state law that protects reporters from revealing unpublished work. Judge Al Girolami says he doesn´t think reporters are entitled to any privilege protecting their phone calls.

The judge has also set a June 19th hearing to consider defense motions regarding wiretaps. Defense attorneys want to dismiss prosecutors assigned to the case and toss out results of two wiretaps that monitored thousands of Peterson´s calls after the Christmas Eve disappearance of his pregnant wife, Laci.

Using the court-approved wiretaps, police logged more than 3,800 phone calls made to Peterson. The defense says police eavesdropped on protected conversations between the defendant and his lawyer.

Judge Girolami will also consider issuing a gag order to prevent evidence leaks. He may also decide whether to release results of autopsies on the remains of Laci Peterson and her unborn son. Peterson has pleaded innocent to two counts of murder.